Reader appreciates hometown hero

I fully agree with the Tribune’s Dec. 24 “hometown hero” article. Dr. Bryan Martin has a unique and professional approach to one of life’s tougher hurdles — cancer.

My mother had Martin as her oncologist when she was dealing with lung cancer. He had a very personal approach when dealing with the patient and the family. We were all feeling very bleak and at a loss knowing this 84-year-old mother was struggling with her last life hurdle. At her age and stamina, we were still given the options and a plan. Martin was straight forward and honest, with just the right amount of human concern surrounding the situation. I think he gave her hope but, at the same time, provided her with the tough diagnosis of her future.

It was his personal approach that was beyond expectation and our family is thankful there was this caring person providing her and the family with her end-of-life support.

— Ralph McGillivray,

Great Falls

Christmas in our land

I have been troubled this past December about the manner in which we celebrate Christmas in our land. Here are some examples:

1. Advent to Dec. 24 is a time of “preparation.” Sure, gift buying and cards are part of this preparation.

2. Christmas begins on Christmas Eve — Dec. 24 — at dusk, not 12 days before! I was shocked at the 12 Days advertised as 12 shopping days, award days or even on the PBS Newshour as 12 notable days.

3. “Twelve Days of Christmas” is not just a long song. It is 12 days to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem and visited by three wise gentlemen who recognized him and whose “visit” we celebrate 12 days later on Jan. 6 — the Epiphany. Who cares if these are actual days; it is Emmanuel, God with us that we celebrate.

God bless each and all in 2015.

— Leone Cloepfil,

Fort Benton

Save earth and money

Environmentalists are supposed to want to saddle business with burdensome laws, Right? Well, here’s one that wants to change some laws hamstringing private business and limiting your access to a free market. Thanks to breakthrough technology, the cost of renewable energy has plummeted in recent years, making it affordable and cost effective, especially for solar panels to generate electricity. Now you can save the earth and save money.

Unfortunately, laws currently on the books in Montana seriously limit your choices if you want to take advantage of this new technology. If the roof on your house doesn’t face south, your property is shaded by trees or you rent, you might want to buy a share in a neighborhood solar system which, wherever it is, would generate credit against your electric bill. But you can’t do that.

You might need a large system, which would generate enough electricity for an industrial operation, big box store or a hospital, school or university. But you can’t have it. If you have multiple meters, like any farm or ranch has, you might want to build one system and generate credit from it for your other meters. But you can’t do that.

And then, if you generate more electricity at the end of the year than you use, you have to give that electricity away free to the utility. Unfair? Of course it is. Tell your legislators that you want these laws changed. Tell them you want everyone to be able to get renewable energy.